Abstract

The effect of dietary protein level on reproductive performance, chick growth, and plasma uric acid in parakeets was studied. The treatments consisted of three isocaloric diets (3200 kcal of metabolizable energy per kilogram) containing 13.5%, 18.2%, and 25% protein (analyzed) and a vitamin and mineral supplemented commercially available seed diet (13.4% protein, analyzed). One hundred five pairs were assigned to four dietary treatments. Twenty-nine pairs were assigned randomly to each of the isocaloric diets, and 18 pairs to the supplemented seed diet. Protein level had no effect (P > .05) on number of eggs laid, number of fertile eggs, or number of chicks hatched in any of the diets tested. However, number of chicks weaned per pair was lower (P < .05) in pairs fed the supplemented seed diet. Growth of chicks, at 7, 21, and 35 days of age was similar (P > .05) among the four dietary treatments. Blood was taken from breeders at the start and end of the trial, and from chicks at 21 days of age. No differences (P > .05) were seen in plasma among breeders fed isocaloric diets with different protein levels. Breeders on the supplemented seed control had a higher (P < .05) plasma uric acid at the end of the trial than those fed the other diets. No differences (P > .05) were observed in plasma uric acid between chicks from parents fed the isocaloric diets with different protein levels, but chicks from breeders fed the supplemented seed diet had higher (P < .05) levels than chicks from breeders fed the other three diets.

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